“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” – Philippians 3:12

On July 24, 1908, the Olympic marathon run was held in London. The starting line was moved from its original location to the lawn at Windsor Castle, in order to give the royal family a better view of the start of the race. This lengthening of the course from 25 miles to 26 miles and 385 yards proved to be an ominous precursor for many of the runners. The day was hot and muggy.  By the nineteen-mile mark the three British favorites all pulled up lame. At just under three hours,the Italian runner Dorando Pietri entered the stadium. The small 22-year-old candy maker from the island of Capri was exhausted and disoriented. He began to run the wrong direction around the track.

Officials pointed him in the right direction. Suddenly, Pietri fell. He staggered to his feet and then fell again. Five times he fell, with physicians coming to his aid to revive him after his fifth fall. Bravely, Pietri rose to his feet, and with the help of Olympic officials he crossed the finished line. Pietri did not win the gold medal because of the help he received. But because of his courage, Queen Alexandra awarded him a special gold cup.

Are you meeting resistance while following Christ’s calling? Press on and know that your Heavenly Father will reward your perseverance. Today in prayer, give the Lord your troubles and look to Him for your strength.

“It is not the going out of the port, but the coming in, that determines the success of the voyage.” – Henry Ward Beecher

God’s Word: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” -Hebrews 12:1-2

Special Note: The picture is of Italian marathon runner Dorando Pietri is helped across the line at London 1908 Olympics